UK launches torpedo from an uncrewed underwater vehicle for the first time — ABC News Australia
In UK waters, the United States and the United Kingdom for the first time test-fired a heavyweight torpedo from an uncrewed underwater vehicle rather than a crewed submarine. The test took place last week as part of the AUKUS defence partnership involving Australia, ABC News Australia reports.
Launch from an underwater drone
According to the UK government, the torpedo was launched from the 12-metre XV Excalibur uncrewed underwater vehicle, built in Britain. The heavyweight torpedo itself was jointly developed by the United States and Australia.
The UK government called the test a significant step for the future of underwater technologies of the three AUKUS countries. It also said the result was an important breakthrough for Euro-Atlantic security and for maintaining NATO’s advantage in the underwater environment.
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Previous Excalibur tests
XV Excalibur was created to demonstrate the capabilities of autonomous maritime systems. In 2025, the United Kingdom and Australia already tested the vehicle together during the Talisman Sabre exercises.
At that time, a control centre in Australia, located more than 16,000 kilometres from Plymouth, remotely operated the vehicle. The UK Royal Navy described this as an important step towards interoperable use of uncrewed systems together with Australia.
Sidharth Kaushal, a senior research fellow at the RUSI think tank, called the new launch notable. According to him, the use of a lethal payload demonstrates that uncrewed systems can carry out tasks beyond surveillance.
